[tomthepyro]

Ok Guys,

So I thought for the benefit of some our newer members, What would you say is a essential to have when designing a show.

Is there a custom scenery pack that everyone should have? Or maybe even a certain firework they should have?

If so, put them here!

[TwoStepsFromHell]

I think a/the custom mortar set is (almost) essential to have, since the in-games fail.

[MadPyroMan]

Even though i'm not new, it is essential to have realistic firework packs. The default pack that comes with the game simply will not do. It is important that all your shows are dead on realistic. Well at least I think so. You want to grab the viewers attention and suck their face into the monitor and leave them wanting more.
As for custom scenery packs, I would suggest that you have Dasmatzes Industry Age Pack. It has some nice pieces for a set as well as all the STUK Hangar Sets. You can find those over on Atari Forums.
Firework packs? I would recommend Ilyxr Packs 1-2. Ilyxr packs 3-6 are not released. A few other good packs are AD packs 1-3. Those contain some really cool effects to.
Hope this helps anyone that needs help

[BrandonP]

Don't just toss fireworks in at random times.
Really work on the show, and you will see much better outcomes and better viewer responses. Also work with all the resources you have, get different opinions, value those opinions. Dont just take them and think your ideas are so much better, most people here know what they are talking about and their views can help make you show so much better. Also, dont be afraid to ask for help. Wheter it be with a logo, soundtrack, finding Custom Scenery Packs, or anything, just ask were not so mean as to not help.

[Greggy]

greetea230, on May 30 2009, 09:57 PM, said:

Don't just toss fireworks in at random times.
Really work on the show, and you will see much better outcomes and better viewer responses. Also work with all the resources you have, get different opinions, value those opinions. Dont just take them and think your ideas are so much better, most people here know what they are talking about and their views can help make you show so much better. Also, dont be afraid to ask for help. Wheter it be with a logo, soundtrack, finding Custom Scenery Packs, or anything, just ask were not so mean as to not help.

yes that is true

Also watch other peoples shows to get an idea as to how to make yours better, dont copy there show but i think take elements from it that you can incorporate into yours to add to it and also
Take Your Time when making one don't rush it

[TwoStepsFromHell]

High quality effects are eye-catching and if you synch them to your music rather perfectly it will attract more people, but don't overuse them. Nothing worse than watching a show with only two/three types of fireworks. Vary them as much as possible and make some effects of your own too.

[Liam]

Think ground and sky. Its important to make sure your effects dont only happen in the sky! You need some low lying lazers and high flying fireworks at the same time. Balance is all!

[Greggy]

liamrocks, on Jun 1 2009, 09:34 PM, said:

Think ground and sky. Its important to make sure your effects dont only happen in the sky! You need some low lying lazers and high flying fireworks at the same time. Balance is all!

Yes but not too much because it can look overcrowded and people won't know where to look therefore not noticing as much as what effort has been put into the show

[Masterbuilds]

I would say learning the AFE. Why I say this is because your own fireworks make the show unique and different than everybody's shows. Most people do try and fail at the AFE, but thats why AT_Mad's pyro academy is here, to help people with the AFE and creating some master fireworks. My second thing I would say is the soundtrack - If there was recorded sound in RCT3 I would be fine with listening to the sound of fireworks going up and exploding. But there is not, unless you get an outside recorder, so a soundtrack that is interesting and draws people to the show is important. Thats what I think is essential to a fireworks show.

[Greggy]

yes definitely try and learn the AFE because i personally love watching shows with custom shells they have the unique feel/look and really show off your show making skills and im sure others would agree

[maskedbandit101]

As a music teacher, personally, I think the music you choose is the most important. Not only the music, as someone else said, but how you interpret/understand the music. Any music that's good for anything (including pyro) has so many different levels to it. If music is boring to listen to, no amount of pretty colors will change that. I think you need to deconstruct the piece/song you're using and then build it back up, with visual effects.

[RCT3freakSW]

Me, as one who is working to become a designer for a theme park would say this:

Never create a firework show that has no scenery or a stage to launch them from. I tried this before, and it looked terrible. When you build the stage or facade, make sure it matches the theme of your show. Also, don't build small little pitiful structures to launch your fireworks from. They must be bold with different levels of roofs. This is for two reasons. One, you will have more places to illuminate and launch your fireworks from, and two, it gives your fireworks varying heights when the explode in the sky, instead of all of your fireworks being at the same level. It gets boring after a while.

[azmanic]

it really looks good if you time your fireworks to the music and not just shoot random ones. If you do time it it makes it look so much better.

[BlueDrache]

All good suggestions, but no one has mentioned colour variations. It can be exciting to see dozens of rainbow colours in a finale, but most of your segments will be monochromatic, or at least that's been my experience with most fire-work shows at theme parks ranging from Cedar Point to Six Flags to Disney. Pick a palette and stick with it.

[Aln15617]

Custom mortars are a must have in the game because they can shoot different angles without moving them. The regular mortars are unrealistic. I have never before seen a pinwheel one and it shoots to the ground mostly. Custom mortars are more realistic though.

[bookworm91]

Aln15617, on Jul 2 2009, 06:36 PM, said:

Custom mortars are a must have in the game because they can shoot different angles without moving them. The regular mortars are unrealistic. I have never before seen a pinwheel one and it shoots to the ground mostly. Custom mortars are more realistic though.

You tell us that they are a must but I've looke all over the internet and the only custom mortars I could find have to be downloaded from this site. Us pending members cannot do this because we are blocked from downloads. The only one I found that was not connected to vpyro had been taken off the web. Do you have any suggestions as to where we can get custom mortars?

[Liam]

Wait. You dont need cs mortars, but they help.

[vivingsoy]

BlueDrache, on Jun 9 2009, 04:16 AM, said:

All good suggestions, but no one has mentioned colour variations. It can be exciting to see dozens of rainbow colours in a finale, but most of your segments will be monochromatic, or at least that's been my experience with most fire-work shows at theme parks ranging from Cedar Point to Six Flags to Disney. Pick a palette and stick with it.

I agreed with you.Beside a good pair of realistic lasser will be good with some high definition and realistic fireworks.

[Mpntball199]

For me it's most definitely learning the AFE. Sure, it can get confusing at times, but once you learn it it's a ton of fun to play around with. If your somebody who has trouble with it, I would recommend looking up Davie499 on youtube. I learned how to make custom fireworks in just a few videos of his.
I noticed some of you were talking about custom mortars. Do you know where I can find some besides vpyro? I cannot download obviously.

[myers247]

well what for about people who only have the first fireworks that come with the game and are new to designing shows i have had a go but never wanted to post it because i dont think my shows are any good but i guess i just need the right music to go with it plus i dont even know how to design sets or stages etc

i only bought roller coaster tycoon 3 for the building parks side never considered the fireworks side